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Statistics Canada confirms alarming tuition increases

OTTAWA, Sept. 7, 2016 /CNW/ - Newly released tuition fee data from Statistics Canada shows that declining public investment continues to drive up tuition fees to alarming levels. Full-time undergraduate students will pay an average $6,373 in tuition fees while international students will pay an average of $23,589. Ontario students continue to pay the highest fees, surpassing $8,000 this year.

"Today's Statistics Canada report shows more than the rising cost of education, these numbers are the direct cause of the federal government delaying investments in our future," said Bilan Arte, National Chairperson of the Canadian Federation of Students. "Everyday the impact of staggeringly high tuition fees is felt by students and their families. It's time for public investment in a universal system of post-secondary education."

Notably, a provincial tuition fee deregulation in Nova Scotia allowed a dramatic increase of 5.6 percent in the province, bringing their average undergraduate tuition to $7,218. While a commitment to continue the tuition fee freeze in Newfoundland and Labrador this year means that students in that province benefit from the lowest tuition fees in the country.

"Education is a right, and it is unjust that any student is denied access to public education because of a financial barrier," said Arte. "Until governments restore funding to post-secondary education we will continue to take action, beginning with a student day of action on November 2nd demanding universal access to education"

The Canadian Federation of Students has launched a national campaign calling for the elimination of tuition fees in Canada. On November 2, students, alongside labour partners, civil society groups and social justice organizations, will mobilize for a new vision for post-secondary education. Students are demanding universal access to education, education justice and public education for the public good.

The Canadian Federation of Students is the oldest and largest national student organization in Canada, representing over 650,000 college, undergraduate and graduate students across the country.